Playing Booms in Airlines and U.S. Shale

Can stocks like Delta and Spirit maintain their altitude?

Airline stocks have long been known as trading vehicles, not proper investments. But CNNMoney writer Paul La Monica makes the case that this sector, long known for its frequent bankruptcies and gyrating stocks, is shedding much of its instability.

In his latest piece, La Monica argues that a series of mergers over the past few years has made the remaining airlines more efficient and profitable.